COUNTY keeper Roger Freestone is hoping that Newport can enjoy a prolonged run in the FA Cup, after tasting significant success in the competition in his Swansea career.

County take on North Leigh today (kick-off 3pm) and Freestone is looking for it to be the start of a famous cup-run that both the fans and players can enjoy.

In 1999 Swansea pulled off the shock of the third round when they beat Premiership side West Ham 1-0 in a replay at the Vetch Field.

Freestone was in outstanding form in both games, and he made a stunning save in the replay to deny Neil Ruddock an equaliser at the death.

And it was just last year that Freestone embarked on yet another FA cup run with the Swans, who beat Division One side Preston 2-1 to progress to the fifth round, with Freestone again in fine form.

And the 36-year-old stopper is certain that Newport are ready for a good run in the cup.

He told the Argus: "It would be great for everyone if we could get on a good run because the cup is a good distraction and something positive to be involved with.

"Last year I had a really good run with Swansea, and it would be nice to enjoy similar success with County, because a good cup run is a great memory for players and, of course, for fans.

"But we must not underestimate North Leigh (who are two leagues below County) just as we didn't underestimate Corsham.

"We will go there and show them the utmost respect because in these situations all the pressure is on the higher-placed club, and they will know that.

"But we have a brilliant group of lads at County with a good attitude, and the manager has laid down the guidelines and has told us how he wants us to approach the game.

"But in the FA Cup you don't need any motivating because it is a privilege to play in the best cup competition in the world.

"We've got to roll our sleeves up and remember that the score is unimportant as long as we win. It doesn't matter if it is 5-4, 6-5 or 1-0, just so long as we progress.

"Our main priority is doing well in the league, but you have to look to succeed in every competition you play in.

"We want to win the league and similarly we want to get to the cup final. "Obviously it would be very difficult for us to actually go all the way to the final in the cup but that is how you have to think, that is the mindset you must have to be successful."